7 Easy Ways to Add Curb Appeal to Your Home

When homeowners are looking to sell in today’s market they focus all their time, energy and attention to the interior of their home. By doing so, they sadly forget and overlook the exterior of their home. First impressions are everything, and we seem to always believe that when a potential buyer walks into a home for the first time that is where the impression lays. Nope…. Wrong!! What about when you pull up to what could possibly your future “dream home”, and instead you think you’ve pulled up to the local junk yard? Homeowners really need to remember and consider putting a bit of TLC into their yards before placing their home on the market. Directly from my State Farm agent, Terry Bradshaw at the Villa Park branch is an article that touches on a few easy ways to do so without putting a huge dent in your wallet.

Consider these Top 3 curb appeal ideas:

Get the right greenery. Your landscaping choices should enhance the house, not hide it. Use landscaping to call out features like a home’s symmetry or to hide trouble spots. Consider choosing fire resistant plants to help prevent the spread of wildfire to your home. Bonus: These plants are often drought tolerant too. Be sure to keep all plants manicured and trimmed.

Restore the front door. A new front door looks impressive, plus it can almost pay for itself in added resale value, according to the 2013-2014 “Cost vs. Value Report” from Remodeling magazine1.

Update siding and windows. Though expensive, updating siding and windows is one of the best ways to add value to a home. Keep the windows clean. And if you’re selling your home, remove the screens for extra shine.

***Desert landscape is a great alternative and something to consider for the severe drought California residents are facing this year. It will definitely keep costs down for the current homeowner, or future home buyer. Also, the maintenance is much easier for those who do not have the time to put towards the upkeep of a yard.***